Court proceedings in some states of the federation have been put on hold as judiciary workers commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday, June 2 following a directive issued late Sunday by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
Business Post gathered on Monday that many courts across Nigeria from Lagos to Oyo as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were shut down, bringing judicial activities to a halt nationwide.
The strike was triggered by the federal government’s failure to address several demands, including the payment of five months’ wage award arrears, implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage, and the 25/35 per cent salary increase for workers under the consolidated public service salary structure.
These grievances were outlined in a circular sent to all chapter chairmen, signed by JUSUN’s acting General Secretary, Mr M.J. Akwashiki.
However, not all courts are non-operational as the Supreme Court, the Federal High Court, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) have opted out of the strike, citing the intervention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In separate statements on Sunday, these federal courts noted that cogent and verifiable assurances from the CJN, following a closed-door meeting, prompted their decision to abstain from the strike.
Signed by 12 principal officers of the Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN, including Chairman Danladi Isa, the communiqué described joining the strike as a “misplacement of priorities” that would undermine the CJN’s efforts.
“With the CJN’s commendable efforts, we owe her our unwavering support to ensure the payment of expected allowances and other benefits,” it stated.
The communiqué added, “The stance of lower courts on the planned nationwide strike cannot be managed by us in the Supreme Court, as it risks jeopardising the CJN’s efforts and rendering them ineffective.
“We urge our colleagues to remain calm and allow the CJN’s initiatives to achieve meaningful results.”
The Supreme Court chapter of JUSUN also noted that discussions had commenced with other federal chapters to encourage a reconsideration of the strike action.
However, Mr Akwashiki explained that the strike proceeded after a series of failed negotiations, including meetings convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment aimed at resolving the issues.
“This is to direct all Federal Chapters that effective from midnight Sunday, 1st June 2025, you are to stay at home. This directive follows unfruitful meetings in the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment who was conciliating on our matter,” the circular stated.